Wow – what a fall!

250 people participated in our Bruce Trail Day activities at the Forks of the Credit, our fundraising Credit Valley Explorer train excursion sold out in a flash and the Thanksgiving End to End gathered numbers of hikers amidst autumn colour with balmy temperatures.

The main purpose of Bruce Trail Day is to raise awareness among the general public of the activities of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and to encourage new membership. On Bruce Trail Day, two new members signed up with our Club on the spot and many others took away our CHBTC membership brochure.

The following day, I had the very pleasant opportunity to lead a special hike with Philip and Susan Gosling. Philip was one of the founders of the Bruce Trail – in fact the person who, in 1962-63, met with volunteers up and down the length of the then proposed Bruce Trail and organized them into what is now known as Bruce Trail Clubs. By June 1963, Philip and the volunteers had surveyed the route, sought the permission of landowners, and defined 553 km of trail and opened one third of that to the public!

“You’ve Got To Pop the Question!”

On our special hike with Philip and Susan, we were admiring the view from Humber Heights when a walker appeared with his dog. Philip asked the walker if he used the Bruce Trail frequently and the answer was “Yes”. Philip then enquired, “Are you a member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy?” The response was “No.” Philip then explained that the more members that the Bruce Trail Conservancy has, the greater influence we have as an organization when it comes to lobbying government to protect Escarpment lands. The Bruce Trail walker agreed with the logic and I gave him a CHBTC membership application form.

As we walked along, Philip emphasized, “You’ve got to pop the question!”

“Close to nature, close to home” -

During our hike, I learned that a turning point in Philip’s life, prior to taking leadership in founding the Bruce Trail, was a workshop that he attended sponsored by the Federation of Ontario Naturalists. As we put our humble amateur naturalist knowledge to use, recognizing Black Cherry trees, ash, purple asters, goldenrod, wild grape, etc, Philip asked me how fast I normally hike. Philip mentioned that he and Ray Lowes had once had a discussion about the optimal pace for hiking. Their thought was 2.5 km an hr in order to make sure that the walker had sufficient opportunity to observe the surrounding nature.

So there’s a little snippet from our history that should encourage the innate nature lover in all of us. I have always thought that our motto, “Close to nature, close to home” was very appropriate and I think it has just been reinforced!

Speaking of pioneers within our Club, we are privileged to have Philip Gosling and Tom East, both former Presidents of the BTC, as members of the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club and I would like to draw the name of another volunteer to your attention. It’s a name that is very close to home – Trevor Stock, the Editor of our quarterly membership newsletter, the Caledon Comment.

Trevor edited some of the early BTC Guidebooks – (for example, I have in my possession the 9 th Edition Bruce Trail Guidebook, 1975, produced by the Trail Guide and Maps Committee of which Trevor Stock is listed as a member.) Trevor also led many hikes and for the last nine years has been the Editor of the Caledon Comment. (Graham & Margaret Berry were Caledon Comment Editors for 12 years prior.) Trevor recently announced his resignation as the Editor of the Caledon Comment, in order that he may have more time to travel. We will definitely miss Trevor’s steady hand, professionalism and dedication as Editor. As Editor of the Caledon Comment, Trevor’s main volunteer contribution to the Club has been our quarterly membership newsletter - what an excellent and vital contribution it has been! (We are currently seeking an Editor and Assistant Editor to fill Trevor’s shoes. If you are interested, please contact the undersigned.)

Hope to see you at the Winter Hike and Potluck on Sunday Dec 7 th -

Every year, as winter approaches, on the first Sunday in December, we have a special hike, followed by a scrumptious potluck, with interesting presentation/entertainment. We continue that warm tradition and I look forward to seeing you there – (more details on this website.)

Janice McClelland,
President, CHBTC.

August 2008

Fall is arriving and there’s something for everyone this season - our interesting fall hiking program for those who enjoy autumn walks - work parties where volunteers have fun while maintaining and building our section of the Trail. If you’re looking for the “big picture” of the BTC and informative workshops, then come along to the Bruce Trail Conservancy Annual General meeting (Sept 19, 20 & 21st), in Georgetown.

Sunday Oct 6 th is Bruce Trail Day. Our hikes and GPS Treasure Hunt will take place at the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. This event is designed to promote awareness of the Bruce Trail (the hikes are at an introductory level). Please invite those who may be interested in the Bruce Trail to participate. (Further information)

And something special on Sunday October 19 th - a very pleasant train ride on the Credit Valley Explorer as a fundraising opportunity organized by both the Caledon & Dufferin Clubs. (Click here for details)

This train ride on the Credit Valley Explorer will give you an opportunity to view the Credit River country from the unique and comfortable advantage of the train, to hear a interesting commentary on the history of the area that we pass through, enjoy a delicious box lunch and at the same time to make a donation to the Bruce Trail. (Part of the cost of the ticket is a charitable donation to the Bruce Trail for which you will receive a charitable donation receipt.) We look forward to seeing you, your family and friends on the train! Contact CHBTC Vice President Jean Kerins for tickets – they will sell out quickly!!! (More information under.)

Are you aware that the BTC has recently negotiated the purchase of the 80 acre Boyne Valley Springs property in the Dufferin Hi-land section? This acquisition will help the BTC to complete a continuous 3 km link in our conservation corridor. The total cost to secure the property is $323,000. As of June, $120,000 was already committed to the purchase, through a very generous donation from an anonymous Bruce Trail member and a significant contribution by Caledon’s Land Stewardship Director, Dave Moule, and Dave’s wife, Sally Cohen.

The BTC’s offer on this property is conditional upon securing funds by Sept. 30, 2008.

If we are able to raise the remaining $203,000, the Boyne Valley Springs property will remain forever natural. Should the BTC not be able to secure the property, your donation will be used to secure other lands within the BTC conservation corridor.

As members we have always come through when there was a property to purchase. My husband and I will be joining Dave & Sally and others in contributing what we can towards this purchase before Sept. 30 th. I hope that you will be able to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in nature.

At our CHBTC Annual General Meeting in April, I thanked outgoing Executive members Ross McLean (Trail Building and Maintenance Coordinator), Carol Maxwell (Secretary) and Lynda Noppe, (Volunteer Coordinator). I also think that it is important to thank these active people on this website so that all 800 Caledon members and others can share with me our recognition of the time and energy that they have each devoted to the success of this Club and the Bruce Trail Conservancy.

Although they may have stepped out of their positions, these fine individuals are still active in the CHBTC. While I was planting trees at our Christmas tree plantation this Spring, who did I see striding across the field – Ross McLean! In addition to helping out other Clubs, Ross now surveys and designs trail maintenance and building projects in Caledon, assisting Colleen Darrell, who is our new Coordinator of Trail Building & Maintenance.

In June, Carol Maxwell & John Maxwell and Lynda & Bob Noppe were part of the excellent volunteer crew who pruned our mature Christmas trees.

It is my sincere pleasure to thank Ross, Carol & Linda for the work that they accomplished while part of our Executive, in particular, for helping to make our Club a welcoming place for volunteers.

And I’m also proud to thank Gerry Fox, who as of this summer, is stepping aside from the excellent work that he has done as Tuesday Hike Coordinator. Gerry will be carrying on with chain sawing and other important Committee work that he currently performs for the Club.

It is good news that our former Executive members continue to be active and that we have new members on the Executive who bring their energy and ideas to these roles – Julie Datta as Secretary, Colleen Darrell as Coordinator of Trail Maintenance & Building, Nancy Early as Volunteer Coordinator, Trevor Rodie & Diane McKenzie as Members at Large, Sandy Clipsham as Editor of the Cal E News and now Marilyn Ross as Tuesday Hike Coordinator. We appreciate the volunteer commitment of these leaders.

Enjoy the trail this season and the company of your fellow members of the Bruce Trail Conservancy.